New Robotic Surgery System at Wellstar Kennestone Brings Next-Level Care to the Community

Eric Janeau, a former All-American offensive tackle who once played football at Kansas State University and Western Illinois University and trained with the Detroit Lions, faced a host of serious health conditions—a rare form of bile duct cancer, obesity, heart failure, kidney disease and diabetes. With the support of his tight-knit network of doctors and the Wellstar Center for Best Health, Eric is overcoming these obstacles and inspiring others through his remarkable weight loss journey.

Life change kickoff: A rare cancer diagnosis 

In 2021, Eric was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.

“I was in disbelief,” Eric remembered. “I didn’t eat all weekend.”

The only cure was surgery, but at 11 centimeters, the tumor was too large to be removed. Under the care of Medical Oncologist Dr. Carmen Klass, Eric began chemotherapy. At the time, he didn’t realize just how dismal his chances were for survival. At stage 4, the survival rate for this cancer type is 1%, with only four to six months to live if treatment isn’t successful.

Eric began chemotherapy accompanied by additional hydration to help with his heart failure and steroid shots that caused him to gain weight during treatment. After 12 rounds and six cycles of chemo, his body responded excellently—the mass shrunk by 40%. Surgical Oncologist Dr. Sahir Shroff re-evaluated him and cleared him for surgery to remove the tumor in early 2022.

Today, Eric is cancer free.

One team, one goal: Eric’s health comeback 

Eric’s journey didn’t end with cancer treatment. He also faced severe obesity, putting him at risk for life-threatening conditions like heart disease and stroke. Dr. Klass was concerned and took the time to address Eric’s other health concerns.

“Dr. Klass and Dr. Shroff keep up with my health and they keep each other informed of what’s going on,” Eric said. “They're totally invested in my well-being.”

After chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor, Dr. Klass referred Eric to Dr. Mitzi Rubin at Wellstar Center for Best Health. It was time to lose weight and get his diabetes and high blood pressure in check.

The iHeartMedia Cares for Kids Radiothon filled the lobby of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Dec. 4 through 6 for its 25th year of fundraising. Surrounded by a winter wonderland of Christmas trees and red, white and silver balloon arches, volunteers took donations from generous supporters while iHeartMedia radio stations and WRDW-TV broadcast stories of the miracles that happen every day at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

The event raised $291,617 to support the children’s hospital, which is a part of the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is life-changing,” said Ralph Turner, president of Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. “This can support many of our young patients. They come to us and we take care of them. We don’t turn them away, and this really helps support our mission.”

Dr. Valera Hudson, pediatrician-in-chief, echoed Turner’s gratitude.

“We couldn’t do this without community support. We are so grateful for everyone who is here who helped pull this off,” she said.

Each year, iHeartMedia generously donates 72 hours of airtime as DJs from 96.3 Kiss FM, 104.3 WBBQ and 105.7 The Bull join WRDW-TV to broadcast live from the event, sharing success stories from patients and families grateful for the care they received.

“Thank you, CSRA, for making miracles happen. Exactly 291,617 miracles. Thank you!” said Ivy Elam, market president of iHeartMedia in Augusta.

Donations from the iHeartMedia Cares for Kids Radiothon are used throughout the year to purchase pediatric equipment such as vein finders for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and a gaming system for patients in the pediatric operating room.

They also support programs that are unique to a children’s hospital. These include the facility dog program, featuring three hospital-owned dogs who provide comfort and help Child Life Specialists more easily communicate with young patients. Donations also help fund summer camps for children living with chronic conditions—such as Camp Rainbow for cancer patients—which allow kids to just be kids while remaining under medical supervision.

Radiothon has ended, but donations can be made throughout the year by calling (762) 375-4004, by emailing Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Director of Philanthropy Catherine Stewart or by visiting the Wellstar Foundation.

Clad in hard hats and neon construction vests, civic leaders and the media took their first look inside the long-awaited Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center on Nov. 14. Led by the hospital’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Nelson So, groups toured the pharmacy, infusion space, operating rooms, and emergency department. Also on display was a nearly finished patient room featuring large windows for plenty of natural light and a digital whiteboard where patients can easily keep track of their medical information.

“This community has been asking for a hospital, and we’re going to deliver that to them in 2026,” So said.